Acute cardiac failure in pregnancy: diagnosis and treatment
6 affiliations
- 1Clínica de Embarazo y Enfermedad Cardíaca, Unidad Funcional Cardiopulmonar y Vascular Periférico, Hospital San Vicente Fundación. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Clínica de Embarazo y Enfermedad Cardíaca Unidad Funcional Cardiopulmonar y Vascular Periférico Hospital San Vicente Fundación Medellín, Antioquia Colombia
- 2Sección de Cardiología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad de Antioquia., Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Sección de Cardiología, Departamento de Medicina Interna Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Antioquia Colombia
- 3Clínica de Embarazo y Enfermedad Cardíaca, Departamento de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital San Vicente Fundación. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Clínica de Embarazo y Enfermedad Cardíaca Departamento de Anestesiología y Reanimación Hospital San Vicente Fundación Medellín, Antioquia Colombia
- 4Clínica de Embarazo y Enfermedad Cardíaca, Unidad Funcional Materno-infantil, Hospital San Vicente Fundación. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Clínica de Embarazo y Enfermedad Cardíaca Unidad Funcional Materno-infantil Hospital San Vicente Fundación Medellín, Antioquia Colombia
- 5Sección de Perinatología y Alto Riesgo Obstétrico, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Universidad de Antioquia Sección de Perinatología y Alto Riesgo Obstétrico Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología Universidad de Antioquia Medellín, Antioquia Colombia
- 6Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Universidad de Antioquia Departamento de Medicina Interna Universidad de Antioquia Medellín, Antioquia Colombia
Abstract
Heart disease affects approximately 4% of pregnancies and is the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal death during pregnancy in many countries. The physiological hormonal and haemodynamic changes that occur during this period can unmask previously undiagnosed cardiac disease and destabilise pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. Acute heart failure during pregnancy is uncommon; however, it can lead to severe maternal and fetal complications. Although the diagnostic criteria are the same as those used in the general population, diagnosis can be challenging because the cardinal signs and symptoms of heart failure overlap with several symptoms and clinical findings that commonly occur during pregnancy. A comprehensive clinical history therefore remains fundamental to the diagnostic approach, enabling the rational use of complementary investigations and, in many cases, guiding treatment. Management of acute heart failure during pregnancy must be highly individualised and may involve decisions regarding continuation of the pregnancy and the optimal mode of delivery. Care should therefore be led by an experienced multidisciplinary team with expertise in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcomes for both the mother and the fetus.
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BibTeX
@article{munozortiz2026acute,
title = {{Acute cardiac failure in pregnancy: diagnosis and treatment}},
author = {Edison Muñoz-Ortiz and Jairo A. Gándara-Ricardo and Érica Holguín-González and Jesús A. Velázquez-Penagos and Juan P. Flórez-Muñoz and Miguel B. Giraldo-Serna and Yasser I. Arana-Escandón},
journal = {Archivos Peruanos de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.47487/apcyccv.v7i3.644},
url = {https://doi.org/10.47487/apcyccv.v7i3.644},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Acute cardiac failure in pregnancy: diagnosis and treatment
AU - Edison Muñoz-Ortiz
AU - Jairo A. Gándara-Ricardo
AU - Érica Holguín-González
AU - Jesús A. Velázquez-Penagos
AU - Juan P. Flórez-Muñoz
AU - Miguel B. Giraldo-Serna
AU - Yasser I. Arana-Escandón
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/26
JO - Archivos Peruanos de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular
DO - 10.47487/apcyccv.v7i3.644
UR - https://doi.org/10.47487/apcyccv.v7i3.644
AB - Heart disease affects approximately 4% of pregnancies and is the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal death during pregnancy in many countries. The physiological hormonal and haemodynamic changes that occur during this period can unmask previously undiagnosed cardiac disease and destabilise pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. Acute heart failure during pregnancy is uncommon; however, it can lead to severe maternal and fetal complications. Although the diagnostic criteria are the same as those used in the general population, diagnosis can be challenging because the cardinal signs and symptoms of heart failure overlap with several symptoms and clinical findings that commonly occur during pregnancy. A comprehensive clinical history therefore remains fundamental to the diagnostic approach, enabling the rational use of complementary investigations and, in many cases, guiding treatment. Management of acute heart failure during pregnancy must be highly individualised and may involve decisions regarding continuation of the pregnancy and the optimal mode of delivery. Care should therefore be led by an experienced multidisciplinary team with expertise in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcomes for both the mother and the fetus.
SN - 2708-7212
ER -